ROBOTIC SURGERY VERSUS LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY FOR RECTAL CANCER TREATMENT. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN THE METHODS IN AN ONCOLOGICAL CENTER IN BRAZIL

Introduction Minimally invasive surgeries have grown substantially worldwide, and today they are one of the main access routes for abdominal surgeries. The increasing number of cancer cases leads to a rise in the number of surgeries, highlighting the importance of expanding less invasive surgical techniques in the colorectal field, with improvements in patient outcomes and quality of life. The use of advanced technology, such as robotics, raises the question of whether this is currently the best access route for better surgical results. There is a lack of long-term studies with a larger number of patients comparing the two techniques used (videolaparoscopy vs. robotics) and thus demonstrating the real benefit of using robotic technology for oncological treatment and accelerating postoperative recovery.

Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate the benefits of robotic surgery compared to videolaparoscopic access in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma, who underwent minimally invasive surgery between 2018 and 2022, in a reference oncological center in Brazil.

Materials and Methods A retrospective study was conducted evaluating 878 patients operated on for rectal tumors between 2018 and 2022 in a reference oncology service in Brazil. A database platform, RedCap, was used to assess the data.

Results During the analyzed period, a total of 505 videolaparoscopic surgeries (VLP) and 373 robotic surgeries (RS) were performed. The robotic group had patients with a younger age (58 +/- 12 vs. 61 +/- 12; p = 0.002), lower body weight (72 kg vs. 76 kg; p = 0.025), higher frequency of neoadjuvant therapy (p < 0.001), and longer surgery time (p < 0.001). However, there were no statistical differences in postoperative diet initiation, length of stay, conversion rates, postoperative complications, or oncological outcomes.

Conclusion The present study, comparing minimally invasive techniques for rectal cancer surgery, showed similar postoperative complication rates and oncological outcomes between the robotic and videolaparoscopic approaches, with both being safe and beneficial for patients with colorectal neoplasms.

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
25 April 2025